2025-3-17

On February 27, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung attended the Friend of Foreign Service Medal Conferment Ceremony to hand out awards to Han Dian, EVA Air, and Johnson Health Tech. The corporations were recognized for their full support of logistical work during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their contributions helped smooth the participation of athletes from Taiwan, who gave outstanding performances at the games. 

Lin thanked Han Dian, a food company, for dispatching a member of staff to Paris during the games to make sure the athletes were never short of familiar food. Han Dian developed an attractive menu to offer Team Taiwan healthy and nutritious dishes from home, all free of charge. EVA Air quickly and efficiently booked flights, arranged fast-track customs and immigration clearance, shipped sporting equipment, and made other arrangements. The airline also thoughtfully gave encouragement to the athletes on the flight to Paris and congratulated them on their return. Johnson Health Tech sponsored sporting equipment for Team Taiwan, helped set up a fitness room, and donated equipment to the Levallois Sporting Club in France after the Olympics to thank the city for all the assistance it had given Team Taiwan during the games. 

Sports diplomacy is an element of integrated diplomacy. The outstanding performance of Team Taiwan at the Paris Olympics put Taiwan into the global spotlight, which would not have been possible without the efforts of the athletes. Apart from acknowledging the team, MOFA also thanked the above companies for providing behind-the-scenes support that allowed the Olympians and coaching staff to concentrate on competing.